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The Ultimate Summer Sweden Experience
On 23rd - 30th July 2019 Survival School will be going on another Expedition. This time we're off to Sweden on a Canoeing and Bushcraft trip.
- This is a trip of a life time. If you are doing anything else- cancel it!
- The airline reserves the right to change its flight schedules so early flexibility may be required.
- The Expedition will last for 8 days.
There is a new payment option. You can now chose to book your own flights. You may find a cheaper flight than us and so you should be able to take that flight. The new payment option is 'Trip without Flights'. If you take this option you will need to meet us at Ostersund Airport at the designated time. There is only one transfer from the airport to the canoes. If you miss it then you'll need to get a taxi.
Deposit: £295
Balance (with flights) £700
Full Payment (with flights) £995
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DAY 1: (23/07/19) Depart Heathrow to Stockholm and then on to Ostersund. Upon arrival you will be met by transport waiting to drive you to a remote log cabin in a back country location. (The cabin is very basic no electricity no indoor bathroom no TV/phones or computers) But let’s face it this week is all about going back to nature.
DAY 2: (24/07/19) After breakfast we say goodbye to the cabin for the next 5 days and travel for one hour until we meet the canoes at the drop off point. After a safety briefing and familiarising ourselves with the canoes its time to load up and head out into the vast silent wilderness.
DAY 2-7: (24/07/19-29/07/19) Each day will consist of paddling about 10-15 kilometres across various lakes and rivers in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere whilst maintaining a steady pace. An opportunity to fish whilst canoeing will always be available. Each evening we will find a suitable spot to make camp for the night, sometimes it may be a sheltered bay or a remote island, and when the tents or hammocks are up it’s just a case of sitting around the campfire or going for a spot of fishing/walking, or just simply soaking up the surrounding scenery and wildlife. Each day has a similar routine, what changes are the lakes/ rivers and landscape. At two points along the journey the canoes have to come out of the water to be portaged around some rapid sections of river. During the summer months the sun shines for up to twenty hours a day, which is ideal as we are not restricted by the number of daylight hours, this gives us plenty of time to relax and fill our days fully.
DAY 7: (29/07/19) Once we arrive back at the cabin this day is basically free for relaxing and sorting out any personal admin. The evening meal is usually a BBQ cooked by our Swedish friends.
DAY 8: (30/07/19) Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and it's time to head back to the UK.
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Sleeping bag (ideally suited down to -50C)
Tarp / hammock – please ask for advice if you are unsure. Tents are possible but are not as suitable
Thermarest or other ground mat.
Water purifier (please click on this link)
Water bottle or Platypus, Dromedary or Ortlieb collapsible water container
Mug + billy can (please click on this link)
Fork or spoon
Sheath knife, to be kept in hold luggage (please click on this link)
Folding Saw – to be kept in hold luggage (please click on this link)
Dry bags – everything must be waterproofed (please click on this link)
Rucksack or Northface style hold all, or Ortlieb Dry Bag Carrying System
Wide brimmed hat or cap with neck protection (please click on this link)
Insect repellent + insect head net. The mosquitoes can be a problem sometimes. (please click on this link)
Travel clothing for 1st and last days on flights.
Canoeing clothing – we suggest - trousers, shorts, t-shirt, shirt, lightweight loose fitting clothing, ideally cotton, must be long-sleeved/ full-length legs. Quick drying clothes. Your feet will get wet and you will be walking on slippery rocks – do not take Gortex walking boots, or sandals
Spare dry footwear for the evening.
Fleece / down jacket etc
Waterproof coat
1 small roll of duck tape
1 whistle
1 Snap gate Karabiner (small but not mini) + 10m of cord (at least 3mm)
Torch with 2 sets of spare batteries (please click on this link)
Sunscreen (Riemann P20 is expensive but effective and proven in extreme conditions. It only needs applying once a day and is available at the airport duty free shop)
Sunglasses
Personal effects; - wash kit, medication etc (it is probably worthwhile taking your own supply of analgesia and anti diarrhoea tablets as well as toilet paper)
Rations – 5 x breakfast – 5 x lunches – 5 x supper (super noodles, couscous, oat-so-simple – light weight dehydrated stuff – chocolate snacks etc.
Tea / coffee / whitener
Fishing kit
23kg maximum
Please ensure that ALL kit is carried in a waterproof bag. Any cameras, mobile phones etc should be kept in re-sealable plastic bags to keep out water…, which will get everywhere!
Money
The local currency is Swedish Kronor. You can put almost anything on a credit card but we would suggest taking about £50 in Kronor.
Health
There are three things to consider:
- Tick borne encephalitis – please speak to your GP about this.
- Tetanus – please be up to date before the trip.
- EHIC – European Health Insurance Card – you will need one of these. Please visit www.dh.gov.uk/travellers and apply online.
Please consult your doctor. It is worth taking antibacterial soap with you and washing your hands before eating. Even by taking these precautions it is still possible to get an upset stomach, so having your own supply of Imodium (and loo roll) is advisable – if taking wet wipes, ensure they are biodegradable (i.e. Kandoo)
Weather
The temperatures in the wilderness could still be over 300C during the day but may dip below freezing at night. Be prepared for all eventualities. The likely temperatures are a max of 25 and a min of around 10. It can quite windy though.
Maps
For those people interested in maps of where we are going, you can ring The Map Shop on 01684 593146. The maps you will need are:
20E SO HOTAGEN (based on Follinge)
203D HOTAGEN (based on Hotagen)
The scale is 1:50,000.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK.
